RENTON — Pete Carroll tried to sound optimistic when asked about the status of his starting left tackle. The diagnosis on Russell Okung’s injured ankle, however, is not particularly promising for the Seahawks.
Carroll used the term “day-to-day” to describe the status of the first-round draft pick, but later he acknowledged that Okung has a high ankle sprain, an injury that usually comes with a recovery time ranging from four-to-eight weeks.
“I was kind of hoping that it wasn’t (a high ankle sprain), but it is, so we’ll see how that works out,” Carroll said. “It’s not the worst one that we’ve ever seen, it’s kind of a moderate one. So that’s why we’re holding out hope that maybe he can get back quickly from it, but those can be difficult. We’ll have to see how it goes for him.”
Carroll didn’t rule out the possibility of Okung returning for the Sept. 12 season opener, but with that game looming less than three weeks away, the team will certainly have to have a contingency plan in place. Already the Seahawks are without Okung’s backup, Ray Willis, who is out with a knee injury. That left Mansfield Wrotto, a converted guard, as the top left tackle last weekend, and in all likelihood that will be the case again for Saturday’s preseason game in Minnesota.
“It’s a depth issue for us,” Carroll said. “With Ray down too, we’re hit about as bad as it could hit at that spot.”
Seattle could get a bit of good news on the offensive line this week with the possible return of Chester Pitts. Pitts, who Seattle signed in the offseason, is coming off of microfracture surgery and opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Pitts is off the PUP list now, was working out on the sideline during Tuesday’s practice, and could be back on the field this week, though Carroll did say Pitts won’t play this weekend.
Pitts, a starter for seven years in Houston, began his career at left tackle before later moving to left guard. Carroll said Pitts will work at left tackle when he gets back to practice.
Despite a somewhat grim prognosis, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Okung could be back for the opener depending on the severity of the injury and how quickly he heals. For an example of how much a high ankle sprain can differ, look at the Seahawks last season. In a Week 2 loss in San Francisco, both tackle Sean Locklear and cornerback Josh Wilson went down with high ankle sprains. Wilson was able to come back after missing just two games, while Locklear missed six games, and that span included a bye week. Guard Rob Sims also suffered a high ankle sprain later in the season and returned after three weeks.
“We don’t know him in terms of injuries, I don’t think he’s ever missed a game before or practice, so he doesn’t have any experience of having to come back from something, so we’ll figure that out as we go,” Carroll said. “… I’m going to hold out hope until he can’t. We’ll see what happens. It’s a long time between now and then, so we’ll see how it goes, and we’ll do the right thing.”
Locklear, last year’s starter at left tackle in Walter Jones’ absence, is not going to move from right tackle, Carroll said.
Of course this weekend brings a date with the Minnesota Vikings and defensive end Jared Allen, a guy known for his quarterback-abusing abilities. The third preseason game is the one in which most teams tend to play their starters the most, putting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in a dangerous spot. Carroll said Hasselbeck will still play quite a bit, but that the team will need to make adjustments to keep him safe.
“It does change our concerns about making sure he gets the ball out of his hands, we’ve got to make sure we get that done,” Carroll said. “He needs to play, so he’s going to play in the game. We’ll see what happens, we’ll see how we hold up against those guys. Jared Allen’s a pretty good player, those guys bring it pretty nice, so we’re going to have a good job of protecting and we’ll see how it goes as the game goes on.”
Surgery for Reed
Defensive end Nick Reed had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday.
“It should be a quick recovery for him,” Carroll said. “… He should be back within a few weeks.”
Injury updates
Cornerback Kelly Jennings, who left Saturday’s game with a hyper-extended elbow, was back at practice and seemingly playing without limitation. Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer, who also left the game with an injury was not at practice. He has what Carroll described as a “contusion” on his leg. No timetable was given for his return.
Washington to start
Leon Washington, who made his Seahawks debut Saturday night, will get the start against Minnesota, Carroll said. The Seahawks have yet to decide on a starting running back, and after giving Julius Jones the start in the first game, and Justin Forsett the start last week, this weekend will be Washington’s turn.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
